Contour determination for ovate pontics.

The ovate pontic was initially described in 1933, but was only recently considered clinically acceptable. Historically, there has been resistance to ovate pontics, but this resistance lacks scientific and biologic evidence to justify rejection. Explicit instructions are mandatory for predictable results from dental laboratories. This article describes a method for communicating exact dimensions for an ovate pontic that was previously contoured for a patient in a provisional restoration to ensure clinical and histologic success. Polyvinyl siloxane putty is suggested as a matrix material for the predetermined contour. An esthetic and functional restoration will result when these materials and procedures are used in an appropriate sequence.